Common Causes of Rear-End Car Crashes

Rear-end collisions are not the minor traffic accidents for which many people mistake them. Although there are some minor rear-end crashes, rear-end accidents also commonly cause catastrophic injuries. You can file a claim for financial compensation that can offset the cost of your injuries and other losses. First, you must determine the cause of the crash so you know whom to hold liable. An Illinois car accident lawyer will conduct an investigation to identify the at-fault party.

Common Causes of Rear-End Crashes

Nearly all rear-end crashes are the result of another person’s negligence. Negligence is a legal term to describe the careless actions or inactions of another person. Although any act of negligence can cause a crash, there are some that are more common in rear-end collisions than others. These include:

• Tailgating: Perhaps the most common cause of rear-end crashes, tailgating occurs when one driver follows another too closely. In these instances, the driver in the rear does not have enough time to slow down or fully stop before they crash into the car in front of them.
• Texting while driving: When a driver texts while driving, they have to take their eyes and focus off the road. They also have to take their hands off the wheel. All of these are dangerous actions that can cause a crash.
• Speeding: Motorists who speed also do not have the necessary amount of time to slow down and stop before they crash into the vehicle ahead of them. Speeding does not only cause rear-end crashes, but it also increases the severity of the resulting injuries.
• Poor weather conditions: Heavy rain, high winds, and thick snow and fog can all cause a rear-end crash. Still, motorists are expected to know how to drive safely according to the weather conditions. If they cannot, they should refrain from getting behind the wheel until conditions improve.
• Defective car parts: Sometimes, the liable party is not even at the accident scene. Manufacturers have a duty to ensure their products are safe and when they do not, they can be held liable. For example, if the brakes in the rear vehicle were defective, the driver cannot be held responsible for the fact that they did not work.

Common Injuries After a Rear-End Crash

The most common injury seen after a rear-end crash is whiplash. Whiplash occurs when the neck snaps back and forth violently while the rest of the body remains stationary, causing the soft tissues and nerves in the neck to become damaged. Other injuries caused by rear-end crashes include:

• Back injuries
• Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
• Arm injuries
• Wrist injuries
• Broken bones, including fractured ribs
• Facial injuries
• Skull injuries and traumatic brain injuries
• Crushed limbs
• Amputation

Get Legal Help from Our Car Accident Lawyer in Illinois Today

At Brassfield & Krueger, Ltd., our Illinois car accident lawyer has the necessary experience to determine who caused your crash, and to hold them liable for the damages they have caused you. Call us now or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and to learn more about your legal options.